Satellite terminal system with wireless link

ABSTRACT

A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites. Satellite terminal equipment may be used to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite terminal equipment may have indoor and outdoor equipment that can communicate wirelessly. Power may be conveyed wirelessly between the indoor equipment and the outdoor equipment. The indoor equipment may include communications circuitry for supporting communications with electronic devices. The outdoor equipment may include satellite communications circuitry. The satellite communications circuitry may include antennas, satellite transceiver circuitry, and modems. Wireless communications between the indoor and outdoor equipment may be supported using radio-frequency wireless communications circuits or optical communications circuits.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/363,915, filed Mar. 25, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/672,180, filed Aug. 8, 2017, which claims thebenefit of provisional patent application No. 62/523,017, filed on Jun.21, 2017, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to satellite communications, includingto terminals for use in satellite systems.

BACKGROUND

Communications systems often use satellites to convey data.Satellite-based systems allow information to be conveyed wirelessly overlarge distances, such as oceans and continents. For example,satellite-based systems can be used to convey media information to alarge number of receivers over a large area, such as broadcast satellitenetworks. Further, satellite communications systems can be used toprovide coverage where physical infrastructure has not been installedand/or to mobile devices that do not remain attached to aninfrastructure resource. For example, satellite communications systemscan provide communications capabilities to land-based devices such ashandheld equipment and home or office equipment.

It can, however, be challenging to provide satellite access to largenumbers of users. For example, the installation and maintenance of userterminal equipment can be overly complex and expensive, and/or can beunable to deliver desired levels of performance.

SUMMARY

A satellite system may have a constellation of communicationssatellites. Satellite terminal equipment may be used to communicate withthe satellite constellation. The satellite terminal equipment may haveindoor and outdoor equipment that can be configured to communicatewirelessly, providing a complete signal path between an indoor deviceand the satellite constellation. Power may also be conveyed wirelesslybetween the indoor equipment and the outdoor equipment.

The indoor equipment may include communications circuitry for supportingcommunications with electronic devices. For example, the indoorequipment may have wireless communications circuitry for forming (orotherwise providing one or more capabilities of) a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) access point. The indoor equipment may also be linked toone or more devices through wired connections.

The outdoor equipment may include satellite communications circuitry.The satellite communications circuitry may include any of antennas,satellite transceiver circuitry, and/or modems. Wireless communicationsbetween the indoor and outdoor equipment may be supported usingradio-frequency wireless communications circuits and/or opticalcommunications circuits.

During operation, satellite signals received by the satellitecommunications circuitry can be transmitted digitally to the indoorequipment (e.g., as data packets) using the wireless communicationsbetween the indoor and outdoor equipment, e.g., over a wirelessinterface between the indoor and outdoor equipment. Wireless power thatis conveyed from the indoor equipment to the outdoor equipment may beused in powering circuitry, such as the satellite communicationscircuitry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 presents a schematic diagram of an example communications systemincluding satellites, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 presents a schematic diagram of an example of a satelliteterminal having linked indoor and outdoor units in communication with anelectronic device of a user, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 presents a schematic diagram of illustrative wireless powercomponents, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 presents a schematic diagram of illustrative wirelesscommunications circuitry based on radio-frequency components, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 presents a schematic diagram of illustrative wirelesscommunications circuitry based on optical components, in accordance withsome embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, isillustrated by way of examples and not by way of limitation.

A communications network may include one or more communicationssatellites and other equipment, including ground-based communicationsequipment and user terminals (or user equipment (UE)). One or more ofthe satellites may be used to deliver wireless services, e.g., toportable electronic devices, home and/or office equipment, and/or otherequipment. The wireless services can include any of voice, data, and/orbroadcast services, among other services. For example, wireless servicescan be provided to handheld devices, wearable devices, set-top boxes,access points, hot spot devices, media devices, mobile terminals,computing devices, sensors, etc. In some configurations, services may bedelivered to a user satellite terminal in a home or office that islinked by a wired or wireless communications link to further userequipment in the home or office such as a computer, set-top box, ortelevision. For example, equipment used to receive and/or transmitcommunications through a satellite constellation can include an indoorportion and an outdoor portion. Further, a wireless interface can beestablished between the indoor portion and the outdoor portion, suchthat communications and/or power can be transmitted over the wirelessinterface. Communications and/or power can be transmitted across thewireless interface using one or more of various transmissiontechnologies, such as RF, infrared, inductive coupling, etc.

In some embodiments, the indoor portion can include an electronicshousing that includes electronics (digital and/or analog) for processingsignals received from a satellite communications network (e.g., via asatellite receiver), for processing signals to be transmitted (e.g., toa satellite and/or terrestrial network), and for supplying power to anoutdoor portion of the satellite terminal. The electronics housing canbe connected to a power source, such as a power outlet, and also caninclude one or more communications interfaces, such as WiFi, Ethernet,coaxial cable, powerline communications, etc. Further, the indoorportion can include an indoor module, e.g., connected to the electronicshousing through one or more wired and/or wireless connections (e.g., acoaxial connection that carries both communication signals and power),that can be mounted to an interior surface, such as a window or wall,that can be aligned with and outdoor module on a corresponding exteriorsurface. The indoor module can be configured to wirelessly transmitpower to the outdoor module, using any wireless power transfer technique(such as inductive coupling). Further, the indoor module can beconfigured to wirelessly transmit communication signals to and receivecommunication signals from the outdoor module, e.g., using radiofrequency (RF) signals, optical signals (e.g., laser(s) and/or diode(s)using one or more colors of light), or other such wireless communicationtechnique.

Similarly, the outdoor module can receive the wireless power (e.g., viainductive coupling) and utilize the received power to operateelectronics in the outdoor portion. The outdoor module also can transmitto and receive from the indoor module communication signals. The outdoormodule can be connected, via a wired or wireless connection, to anoutdoor electronics housing that includes one or more communicationinterfaces, e.g., for bi-directional communication with one or moresatellite networks. Further, in some implementations, the outdoor moduleand/or the outdoor electronics housing can include signal processingelectronics for transcoding (or otherwise converting) incomingcommunication signals received from, e.g., the satellite network, and/oroutgoing communication signals received from the indoor module. In someimplementations, the indoor electronics housing and/or the indoor modulecan include signal processing electronics for transcoding (or otherwiseconverting) incoming communication signals received from the outdoormodule, and/or outgoing communication signals received from, e.g., anelectronic device communicating with the satellite terminal.

The wireless interface between indoor and outdoor portions can providenumerous advantages, including ease of installation, easy removability,non-permanent installation, and the ability to easily reposition theindoor and/or outdoor portions. For example, the wireless interface canallow the indoor and outdoor portions to be installed such that they cancommunicate through a window, without having to physically damage orotherwise modify a structure.

An illustrative communications system with satellites is shown inFIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, communications system 10 may include one ormore constellations of communications satellites 22. Satellites 22 maybe placed in any/all of low earth orbit (LEO) (e.g., at altitudes of500-1500 km or other suitable altitudes), geosynchronous orbit, and/ormedium earth orbit (MEO) around the Earth 12. Satellites 22 may form asatellite constellation having one or more sets of satellites withdifferent types of orbits, e.g., that are synchronized with each otherto provide user populations (or geographic regions) with desired amountsof coverage. There may be any suitable number of satellites 22 in thesatellite constellation(s) of communications system 10 (e.g., 10-100,1,000-10,000, more than 100, more than 1000, fewer than 10,000, etc.).

Satellites 22 may deliver wireless services to equipment such aselectronic devices 18. Electronic devices 18 may include stationary (orless portable) equipment, such as user satellite terminals (e.g., homebase stations or office communication equipment) and/or associatedequipment such as set-top boxes, routers, televisions, desktopcomputers, and other electronic equipment (sometimes referred to as userequipment, user terminals, user terminal equipment, etc.). The satelliteterminals may be implemented using indoor equipment (an indoor portion)and outdoor equipment (an outdoor portion). The indoor and outdoorequipment associated with a satellite terminal can be communicativelycoupled through a wireless interface, e.g., through a window, to permitthe transmission of communications and/or power between them. Electronicdevices 18 also may include handheld devices and/or other mobiledevices, such as cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptopcomputers, wristwatches and other wearable devices, mobile terminals,drones, robots, mobile hotspots, and other portable electronic devices.Electronic devices 18 may be located anywhere on or above the Earth,e.g., on land, at sea, or in the air. The services provided bysatellites 22 may include telephone (voice) service, broadband internetaccess, media distribution services such as satellite audio (satelliteradio and/or streaming audio services) and satellite television (video),data communications, location, and/or other services.

System 10 may include one or more network operations centers (NOCs) suchas NOC 16, which can be coupled to one or more gateways (GW), e.g.,gateways 14 (sometimes referred to as ground stations). If desired,network operations can be managed using equipment at gateways 14, usingequipment distributed throughout system 10, using multiple networkoperation centers 16 and/or other suitable equipment (e.g., servers orother control circuitry). The use of a network operations center such asNOC 16 of FIG. 1 is merely illustrative. In some configurations,clusters of gateways 14 and/or other equipment may share resources(e.g., gateways 14 in a metropolitan area may share a bank of modemslocated at one of the gateways 14 or other locations).

There may be any suitable number of gateways 14 in system 10 (e.g.,1-100, more than 10, more than 100, fewer than 1000, etc.). Gateways 14may have transceivers that allow the gateways to transmit wirelesssignals to satellites 22 over wireless links 20 and that allow thegateways to receive wireless signals from satellites 22 over wirelesslinks 20. Wireless links 20 may also be used to support communicationsbetween satellites 22 and electronic devices 18. During mediadistribution operations, for example, a gateway 14 may send traffic overan uplink (one of links 20) to a given satellite 22 that is then routedvia a downlink (one of links 20) to one or more electronic devices 18.Gateways 14 may perform a variety of services, including supplying mediafor electronic devices 18, routing telephone calls (e.g., voice and/orvideo calls) between electronic devices 18 and/or other equipment,providing electronic devices 18 with internet access, and/or deliveringother communications and/or data services to electronic devices 18.Gateways 14 may communicate with each other via satellites 22 and/orusing ground-based communications networks.

NOC 16 may be used to manage the operations of one or more gateways 14and/or the operations of one or more satellites 22. For example, NOC 16may monitor network performance and take appropriate corrective actionsif warranted. During these operations, NOC 16 may update software forone or more satellites 22 and/or electronic devices 18, may adjustsatellite 22 altitude and/or other orbital parameters, may direct one ormore satellites 22 to perform operations to adjust satellite solarpanels and/or other satellite components, and/or may otherwise controland maintain one or more of the satellites 22 in the constellation ofsatellites orbiting the Earth 12. Further, in some embodiments, NOC 16also may be configured to perform maintenance operations on one or moregateways 14.

Gateways 14, satellites 22, NOC 16, and electronic devices 18 may beconfigured to support encrypted communications. For example, NOC 16 andgateways 14 may communicate using encrypted communications. Similarly,gateways 14, satellites 22, and electronic devices 18 may communicateusing encrypted communications. This allows NOC 16 to issue securecommands and to receive secure information when communicating withgateways 14, satellites 22, and/or electronic devices 18. The use ofencrypted communications within system 10 also allows electronic devices18 to securely communicate with each other and with gateways 14, andalso allows gateways 14 to securely distribute media and/or otherinformation to electronic devices 18, e.g., in compliance with digitalprotection requirements.

During operation of communications system 10, satellites 22 may serve asorbiting relay stations. For example, when a gateway 14 transmits awireless uplink signal, one or more satellites 22 may forward thesesignals as downlink signals to one or more electronic devices 18. Insome embodiments, some electronic devices 18 may be receive-only deviceswhile other electronic devices 18 may support bidirectionalcommunications with satellites. In scenarios in which an electronicdevice 18 supports bidirectional communications, an electronic device 18may transmit wireless signals to one or more satellites 22, so that theone or more satellites 22 may relay this information to one or moreappropriate destinations (e.g., gateways 14, other electronic devices18, etc.).

Satellites 22 and links 20 may support any suitable satellitecommunications bands (e.g., IEEE bands), such as the L-band (1-2 GHz),S-band (2-4 GHz), C-band (4-8 GHz), Ka-band (27-40 GHz), V-band (40-75GHz), W-band (75-110 GHz), and/or other bands suitable for spacecommunications (e.g., frequencies above 1 GHz, below 110 GHz, and/orother suitable frequencies).

Some frequencies (e.g., C-band frequencies and other low frequenciessuch as L-band and S-band frequencies) may penetrate buildings and maytherefore be suitable for communicating with electronic devices locatedindoors at least some of the time, e.g., handheld electronic devices 18(e.g., devices that are mobile and that may sometimes be indoors and maysometimes be outdoors) and/or electronic devices 18 without an externalantenna/receiver. Other frequencies (e.g., V-band frequencies and otherhigh frequencies such as Ka-band and W-band frequencies) do not readily(or effectively) penetrate buildings and may therefore be suitable forcommunicating with electronic devices 18 that have an externalantenna/receiver or that are located outdoors and/or otherwise have aline-of-sight path to satellites 22. A satellite terminal, e.g., anelectronic device 18, that includes an external portion can beconfigured to receive signals in any of one or more frequency bands andto relay the received signals to a corresponding indoor portion.Further, the outdoor portion of a satellite terminal, e.g., anelectronic device 18, can be configured to transmit signals in any ofone or more frequency bands, including converting between frequenciesfor reception and/or transmission. To accommodate a variety ofscenarios, e.g., both mobile device scenarios and home/office scenarios,satellites 22 may, for example, include C-band satellites (or other lowband satellites such as L-band or S-band satellites), V-band satellites(or other high band satellites such as Ka-band or W-band satellites)and/or dual-band satellites (e.g., satellites that that support C-bandand V-band communications or other low and high band communications).

FIG. 2 presents a schematic diagram of an illustrative satelliteterminal for a home, office, or other location. Satellite terminal 18T,which may sometimes be referred to as satellite terminal equipment, asatellite receiver, or user satellite equipment, etc. may serve as oneof devices 18 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, terminal 18T may havemultiple portions such as indoor equipment 68 and outdoor equipment 70.In some embodiments, indoor equipment 68 may transfer power wirelesslyto outdoor equipment 70 through barrier 90. In some other embodiments,outdoor equipment 70 can be, at least partially, separately powered,e.g., through an exterior electrical source, a solar source, etc.Further, in some embodiments, barrier 90 may be a glass window or anyother transparent window or other such barrier, e.g., in a home oroffice. In some other embodiments, barrier 90 may be an opaque window, awall, a panel, a pane, or any other opaque obstruction. Duringoperation, indoor equipment 68 and outdoor equipment 70 may communicatewirelessly through barrier 90 (e.g., using wireless communications suchas radio-frequency communications or optical communications).

Outdoor equipment 70 may include a first portion, such as outdoor mainunit 88, and a second portion, such as outdoor power and communicationsunit 72. In some other implementations, outdoor equipment 70 can beconfigured in a single portion or in three or more portions. Thecircuitry of outdoor equipment 70 may be mounted in one or moreweatherized housings. For example, unit 88 may be an outdoor unit with aweatherized housing suitable for mounting on a roof or other outdoorlocation and outdoor power and communications unit 72 may be an outdoorunit with a weatherized housing suitable for mounting on or near barrier90 (e.g., using adhesive, screws or other fasteners, mounting brackets,suction cups, clips, magnets, and/or other mounting structures).

Indoor equipment 68 may include a first portion, such as indoor mainunit 50, and a second portion, such as indoor power and communicationsunit 58. Indoor main unit 50 and indoor power and communications unit 58may be mounted in (or otherwise configured in) one or more housingssuitable for installation indoors. For example, indoor main unit 50 andindoor power and communications unit 58 can be configured in housingsthat are not weatherized or otherwise adapted for external (or wet)installation. In some other embodiments, however, one or more portionsof indoor equipment 68 also can be configured in weatherized housing orother such cabinets that facilitate at least temporary outdoor use.Indoor power and communications unit 58 may be mounted on an opposingside of barrier 90 from outdoor power and communications unit 72 or inanother suitable location that facilitates wireless power transfer fromindoor power and communications unit 58 to outdoor power andcommunications unit 72 and wireless communications between indoor unit58 and outdoor unit 72.

Indoor main unit 50 may obtain power from any power source, such as awall outlet, a battery, or other power source. As shown in FIG. 2, forexample, unit 50 may have a power adapter such as alternating-current(AC) to direct-current (DC) power converter 48 that receives alternatingcurrent power from power source 52 (e.g., a mains power supply through asocket or outlet) over power cable 64. AC-DC power converter 48 mayconvert alternating-current power from power source 52 to direct-currentpower (as an example) and may supply this power to one or morecomponents of indoor main unit 50 as well as to wireless powertransmitting circuitry 60 and other circuitry in unit 58 via path 54(e.g., a wired path, such as a cabled connection). Wireless powertransmitting circuitry 60 can transmit the power received from path 54wirelessly through barrier 90 to wireless power receiving circuitry 74in outdoor power and communications unit 72. Wireless power receivingcircuitry 74 may convert wireless power signals received from wirelesspower transmitting circuitry 60 into direct-current power for use bycircuitry in unit 72. Wireless power receiving circuitry 74 may alsosupply direct current power to unit 88 over wired path 76. Outdoor mainunit 88 may use the power received over path 76 in powering thecircuitry of unit 88. If desired, outdoor main unit 88 may have anoptional direct current power cord (e.g., connected to a solar panel orarray) or an alternating-current power cord and power adapter forreceiving alternating-current power (e.g., form an outdoor outlet) andlocally converting this power to direct-current power.

Outdoor main unit 88 may include satellite communications circuitry 86for communicating with one or more satellites 22 (FIG. 1) of a satelliteconstellation. Satellite communications circuitry 86 may include any ofantennas, satellite transceiver circuitry, and/or modems for supportingsatellite communications with satellites 22.

In some implementations, satellite communications circuitry 86 mayinclude one or more phased antenna arrays formed from sets of antennasand from adjustable circuitry, such as adjustable phase delay circuitsand/or adjustable gain circuits (e.g., circuits for selectivelyadjusting signal phase and amplitude for incoming and/or outgoingsignals for each antenna in the phased antenna arrays and therebysteering phased antenna array beams). The antenna beams (signal beams)that are formed by the phased antenna arrays may be used fortransmitting signals and/or receiving signals, and may all be pointed atthe same satellite 22 and/or may be pointed at different satellites. Forexample, signals may be received using a beam pointed at one satellitewhile signals are being transmitted using another beam (e.g., a beampointed at the same satellite or another satellite). During operation,phased antenna arrays or other antenna structures in satellitecommunications circuitry 86 may be steered to track multiple satellites22 (e.g., non-geostationary satellites) as they traverse differentorbits. The antennas of satellite communications circuitry 86 mayinclude any of monopoles, dipoles, and/or other types of antennaelements (e.g., loop antennas, helical antennas, patch antennas,inverted-F antennas, Yagi antennas, slot antennas, horn antennas, cavityantennas, dish antennas, or other suitable antennas).

Satellite transceiver circuitry in satellite communications circuitry 86may be coupled (communicatively) to the antennas. One or more modems insatellite communications circuitry 86 may be coupled (communicatively)to the satellite transceiver circuitry and may use the satellitetransceiver circuitry and antennas to transmit and receive satellitecommunications. The modems, satellite transceiver circuitry, andantennas may be configured to handle any suitable type of satellitecommunications. For example, satellite communications circuitry 86 mayhandle satellite communications in bands such as any of the L-band (1-2GHz), S-band (2-4 GHz), C-band (4-8 GHz), Ka-band (27-40 GHz), V-band(40-75 GHz), W-band (75-110 GHz), and/or other bands suitable for spacecommunications (e.g., frequencies above 1 GHz, below 110 GHz, and/orother suitable frequencies).

Satellite communications circuitry 86 may be coupled to communicationscircuit 82 and may be controlled using control circuitry 84.Communications circuit 82 may be or may include a wired communicationscircuit with a digital data transmitter and a digital data receiver, orother transmitter and/or receiver circuitry. Communications circuit 82may communicate with communications circuit 81 over wired communicationspath 80. Communications circuit 81 may include a wired communicationstransmitter for transmitting data (e.g., digital data) over path 80 andmay include a wired communications receiver for receiving data over path80.

Path 80 and path 76 may be separate wired paths (e.g., separate cables)or may be formed from (or within) the same physical cable. For example,the outer ground conductor and center signal conductor of a coaxialcable may be used to form a direct-current power path such as path 76while also serving as a signal path (path 80) for wired communicationsbetween communications circuit 82 and communications circuit 81.

Communications circuit 81 and communications circuit 78 may communicateinternally in outdoor power and communications unit 72 (e.g., over adigital communications path such as a bus or other wired internalcommunications path 79). Communications circuit 78 may be a wirelesscommunications circuit for communicating wirelessly with wirelesscommunications circuit 66. For example, communications circuit 78 mayestablish one or more wireless communications links with wirelesscommunications circuit 66 through barrier 90, such as a window.

During operation, modems in satellite communications circuitry 86 mayreceive data (e.g., digital data) from communications circuit 82 (which,in turn, received this data from communications circuit 81) and mayprovide corresponding outgoing data signals to satellite transceivercircuitry and satellite antennas (e.g., a phased antenna array) insatellite communications circuitry 86 for transmission to one or moresatellites. When satellite signals are received by the satelliteantennas and satellite transceiver circuitry in satellite communicationscircuitry 86, the modems of circuitry 86 may produce digital data fromthese received signals and may transmit this data to communicationscircuit 81 over path 80 using communications circuit 82. Modems insatellite communications circuitry 86 may provide sufficient modemcapacity to handle multiple communications sessions. In this way,satellite communications hardware may be housed primarily or exclusivelyin outdoor main unit 88, while outdoor power and communications unit 72may serve as a wireless communications module (and wireless powerreception circuit) for supporting communications with indoor power andcommunications unit 58 of indoors equipment 68 through barrier 90.

Satellite communications circuitry 86 may, if desired, be configured tosimultaneously receive multiple media streams such as two more, three ormore, or four or more broadcast television channels from one or moresatellites, to handle simultaneous television sessions andvoice/internet sessions, to handle one or more voice calls and/or one ormore internet sessions while simultaneously receiving multiple broadcasttelevision streams, to receive on-demand media streams, to receive datawhile transmitting data, etc.

Indoor main unit 50 may include input-output devices 44 for receivinginput from a user and/or for providing output, e.g., to a user. Controlcircuitry 42 may be included in indoor main unit 50 to control theoperation of unit 50 and/or communications unit 58. Communicationscircuitry 40 may include wired communications circuitry such as anetwork interface for supporting Ethernet communications or other wiredcommunications and/or wireless communications circuitry (e.g., wirelesslocal area network circuitry such as WiFi® access point circuitryoperating at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz, and/or other suitable wirelesslocal area network frequencies). Communications circuitry 40 may be usedto form one or more communications links, such as link 38 with one ormore user devices, such as electronic device 30.

Electronic device 30 may be any device, such as a tablet computer,cellular telephone, laptop computer, desktop computer, television,set-top box, internet-connected voice-controlled speaker, wristwatch,gaming unit, and/or other user equipment. Electronic device 30 mayinclude communications circuitry 36 for supporting communications overlink 38. Link 38 may be, for example, a wired link such as an Ethernetlink or other wired path and/or may be a wireless communications link(e.g., a wireless local area network link such as a WiFi® link at 2.4GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz, and/or other suitable wireless local area networkfrequencies). Communications circuitry 36 may include wiredcommunications circuitry (e.g., a network interface for supportingEthernet communications) and/or may include wireless communicationscircuitry (e.g., antennas and wireless transceiver circuitry such aswireless local area network transceiver circuitry) for supportingcommunications with antennas and transceiver circuitry in communicationscircuitry 40 of indoor main unit 50 over link 38. Electronic device 30may include control circuitry 34 for supporting the operation of device30 and input-output devices or interfaces 32 for gathering input and forproviding output, e.g., to/from a device user.

Control circuitry 34, 42, and 84 may include storage, such assolid-state drives, random-access memory, and/or hard disk drives andother volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. Control circuitry 34, 42, and84 may also include one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors,digital signal processors, communications circuits with processors,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic devices,field programmable gate arrays, and/or other processing circuitry.During operation, control circuitry 34, 42, and 84 may run code(instructions) from storage in control circuitry 34, 42, and 84 toimplement desired functions for device 30 and terminal 18T. For example,control circuitry in terminal 18T may control operations such as tuningoperations (e.g., for channel selection), controlling of the modulationand demodulation operations of modems in satellite communicationscircuitry 86, antenna beam steering using phased antenna arrays incircuitry 86, controlling of over-the-air signaling protocols fornetwork access and terminal management, etc. Control circuitry interminal 18T may be used in processing user commands obtained usinginput-output devices 44 or from input-output devices 32 in device 30and/or may be used in performing other control operations for terminal18T. As an example, control circuitry 42 may be configured to performoperations such as network (packet) routing functions (e.g., so thatindoor equipment 68 may serve as a network router), may perform firewalloperations (e.g., to enhance internet access security by allowing indoorequipment 68 to serve as a firewall), may be configured to usecommunications circuitry 40 to form a wireless access point (e.g., aWiFi® access point), and/or may be used to store media (e.g., so thatindoor equipment 68 serves as a digital video recorder (DVR) that allowsa user to record television programs, to store downloaded media forfuture playback, to perform temporary buffering functions, etc.).

Input-output devices 44 and 32 may include one or more of buttons,switches, touch pads, touch screens, microphones, and/or other inputdevices for gathering input from a user (e.g., channel change commands,media selection commands, volume adjustment commands, etc.) and mayprovide corresponding control commands to outdoor equipment 70. Controlcircuitry 34 may receive information from terminal 18T (e.g., via link38) and may use this information in supplying electronic device 30 (or auser thereof) with output (e.g., by displaying video on a display ininput-output devices 32, by playing audio through a speaker in devices32, and/or by otherwise supplying a user with voice call information,internet browsing information, television content, and/or other contentsuch as video, audio, text, graphics, etc.). If desired, some or all ofthe circuitry of indoor equipment 68 may be integrated into electronicdevice 30 (e.g., a television, computer, set-top box, etc.).

Indoor main unit 50 and indoor power and communications unit 58 maycommunicate over wired path 56 using communications circuit 46 and usingcommunications circuit 62, respectively. Communications circuits 46 and62 may each include a transmitter for transmitting digital data overpath 56 and may include a receiver for receiving digital data over path56. Wired power (e.g. direct-current power) may be transmitted fromAC-DC power converter 48 to wireless power transmitting circuitry 60over path 54. Path 54 and path 56 may be separate wired paths (e.g.,separate cables) or may be formed from the same physical cable. Forexample, the outer ground conductor and center signal conductor of acoaxial cable may be used to form a direct-current power path, such aspath 54, while also serving as a signal path (path 56) for wiredcommunications between communications circuit 46 and communicationscircuit 62.

Communications circuit 62 and communications circuit 66 may communicateinternally in unit 58 (e.g., over a digital communications path such asa bus or other internal wired communications path 63). Communicationscircuit 66 may be a wireless communications circuit for communicatingwirelessly with wireless communications circuit 78. A wirelesstransmitter in communications circuit 66 may wirelessly transmit datasignals to a corresponding wireless receiver in communications circuit78. A wireless transmitter in circuit 78 may wirelessly transmit datasignals to a corresponding wireless receiver circuit in wirelesscommunications circuit 66. In this way, wireless communications circuits66 and 78 may support bidirectional wireless communications throughbarrier 90.

Because both wireless power and wireless communications signals may betransmitted through barrier 90, no opening in barrier 90 is required tofacilitate installation. For example, it is not necessary to drill (orotherwise make) holes in barrier 90 or to perform other potentiallycumbersome operations to couple outdoor equipment 70 with indoorequipment 68 to form terminal 18T. In some configurations, powertransmitting components and/or wireless communications components maybenefit from alignment. If desired, alignment marks may be formed onindoor power and communications unit 58 and/or outdoor power andcommunications 72 to facilitate visual alignment. Terminal 18T (e.g.,unit 58 and/or indoor main unit 50 and/or other circuitry in terminal18T) and/or electronic device 30 may also be used in providing a userwith audible feedback (e.g., variable frequency tones, periodic tonesthat change in period, synthesized voice, etc.), visual feedback (e.g.,on-screen content such as text, directional arrows, or other visibleinformation), haptic feedback (e.g., vibrations, etc.) and/or otheralignment feedback indicative of alignment quality. Terminal 18T (e.g.,indoor power and communications unit 58 and/or outdoor power andcommunications unit 72) may contain alignment sensors (e.g., magneticsensors, optical sensors, electrical sensors, and/or other sensors orcombinations of sensors) that provide terminal 18T with real-timeinformation on the quality of alignment between units 58 and 72. Thisalignment sensor information may be used by terminal 18T in providing auser with dynamic feedback on alignment quality. For example, ifsensors, e.g., magnetic sensors, in units 58 and/or 72 detect thatalignment quality is increasing as a user moves either or both of units58 and 72 with respect to the other, a tone generator frequency or otherfeedback signal may be adjusted in proportion to the increasing qualityof the alignment to alert the user. By providing feedback to facilitategood alignment between indoor power and communications unit 58 andoutdoor power and communications unit 72, communication and/or powertransfer performance in terminal 18T can be maintained at a sufficientlevel to support system operation, e.g., at or above a predeterminedlevel. Further, the alignment of units 58 and 72 can be evaluated overtime (e.g., periodically or continuously) to determine whether thealignment has degraded such that it impacts system performance and, ifsystem performance is impacted, feedback can be output indicating thatrealignment should be performed.

Illustrative wireless power circuitry for conveying power throughbarrier 90 is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, terminal 18T mayinclude wireless power transmitting circuitry 60 that transmits wirelesspower signals 96 to wireless power receiving circuitry 74. Power may betransmitted wirelessly, e.g., over a distance of 1 mm to 10 mm, over adistance of 1 mm to 100 mm, over a distance of at least 1 mm, at least 1cm, at least 10 cm, or at least 100 cm, over a distance of less than 100cm, less than 10 cm, or less than 3 cm, or other suitable distance.Wireless power may be transmitted through capacitive coupling,near-field transmission (e.g., using a patch antenna(s) or otherantenna(s) in circuitry 60 and a corresponding patch antenna(s) or otherantenna(s) in circuitry 74), and/or using other suitable wireless powertransmission configurations. Power may be transmitted at a frequency of10 kHz to 1 MHz, at least 100 kHz, at least 1 MHz, at least 1 GHz, lessthan 10 GHz, less than 5 GHz, less than 1 MHz, less than 500 kHz, orother suitable frequency. In the illustrative configuration of FIG. 3,wireless power transmitting circuitry 60 includes a wireless powertransmitter circuit such as wireless power transmitter 92 (e.g., atransmitter with an oscillator and output circuit at the transmitfrequency) that transmits inductive wireless power through one or morecoils (inductors) such as coil 94 and wireless power receiving circuitry74 includes a corresponding wireless power receiver circuit (e.g., arectifier) such as wireless power receiver 100 that receives thetransmitted wireless power signals 96 using one or more coils, such ascoil 98. In some embodiments, the efficiency of the wireless powertransfer between wireless power transmitting circuitry 60 and wirelesspower receiving circuitry 74 can be monitored, e.g., periodically orcontinuously. If the efficiency falls below a predetermined level, anindication can be provided that one or more components of circuitry 60and/or 74 should be realigned. Additionally or alternatively, if theefficiency falls below a predetermined level, one or more configurationchanges can be implemented, such as one or more of switching to adifferent frequency, switching to additional or differentcoils/antennas, etc.

Illustrative wireless communications circuitry for conveying wirelesscommunications signals through barrier 90 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.Wireless communications through barrier 90 may involve communicationsover any suitable distance (e.g., over a distance of 1 mm to 10 mm, overa distance of 1 mm to 100 mm, over a distance of at least 1 mm, at least1 cm, at least 10 cm, or at least 100 cm, over a distance of less than100 cm, less than 10 cm, or less than 3 cm, or other suitable distance).In the example of FIG. 4, wireless communications circuit 66 andwireless communications circuit 78 are radio-frequency wirelesscommunications circuits. In the example of FIG. 5, wirelesscommunications circuit 66 and wireless communications circuit 78 areoptical wireless communications circuits. In general, any suitable type(or combination of types) of wireless communications may be used inconveying signals through barrier 90. Optional configurations in whichcommunications between indoor power and communications unit 58 andoutdoor power and communications unit 72 are performed using a wiredlink (e.g., while power is transmitted wirelessly using circuits 60 and74) or in which power transmission between unit 58 and 72 is performedusing a wired link (e.g., while communications between unit 58 and 72are handled wirelessly) may also be used, if desired.

In the illustrative configuration of FIG. 4, wireless communicationscircuit 66 includes a transmitter such as transmitter 110 and a receiversuch as receiver 112. A coupler (e.g., a duplexer) such as coupler 114may be used to route signals between transmitter 110 and antenna 116 andto route signals from antenna 116 to receiver 112 (e.g., based on signalfrequency) or, if desired, transmitter 110 and receiver 112 may transmitand receive at different times. Transmitter 110 may receive signals frompath 63 and may transmit corresponding information wirelessly usingantenna 116. Wirelessly received signals from antenna 116 may bereceived by receiver 112 and provided to path 63. Wirelesscommunications circuit 78 includes a transmitter such as transmitter 124and a receiver such as receiver 122. A coupler (e.g., a duplexer) suchas coupler 120 may be used to route signals between transmitter 124 andantenna 118 and to route signals from antenna 118 to receiver 122 ortransmitter 124 and receiver 122 may be configured to transmit andreceive at different times. Transmitter 124 may receive signals frompath 79 and may transmit corresponding information wirelessly usingantenna 118 (e.g., information to be received wirelessly at antenna116). Wirelessly transmitted signals from antenna 116 that have beenreceived by antenna 118 may be received by receiver 122 and provided topath 79. Antennas 116 and 118 may be patch antennas or other suitableantennas (or combinations of antennas). Wireless communications may takeplace at any suitable communications frequency (e.g., a frequency of 100MHz to 100 GHz, at least 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz, 94 GHz, 40-100GHz, less than 100 GHz, or other suitable frequency). For example, oneor more communications frequencies can be selected based on propertiesof barrier 90, e.g., as assessed during an optional configurationprocedure. One or more frequencies and/or device configurations can beevaluated and the frequencies/configurations delivering sufficientperformance can be identified. One or more frequencies/configurationscan then be selected for operation.

In the illustrative configuration of FIG. 5, wireless communicationscircuit 66 includes optical device(s) 130, one or more fibers, such asoptical fiber 140, and lens unit 142. Wireless communications circuit 78includes optical device(s) 152, optical fiber 150, and lens unit 148.Lens units 142 and 148 may be aligned with each other on opposing sidesof a transparent (or semi-transparent) barrier (e.g., a window or otherbarrier 90) so that light that is emitted from fiber 140 throughlens(es) 144 of lens unit 142 is coupled into fiber 150 by lens(es) 146of lens unit 148 and vice versa. Configurations in which optical devices130 and 152 are optically coupled for bidirectional communicationswithout using fibers 140 and/or 150 and/or without using lens units 144and 146 coupled to fibers 140 and 150 may be used if desired. Thearrangement of FIG. 5 is illustrative.

As shown in FIG. 5, optical device(s) 130 may include an opticaltransmitter, such as light-source 132 (e.g., one or more lasers orlight-emitting diodes configured to operate at one or more wavelengths)and an optical receiver, such as light detector 136 (e.g., one or morephotodiodes). An optical coupler may be used to couple light emittedfrom light source 132 into fiber 140 and may be used to couple lightfrom fiber 140 that has been received from circuit 78 into lightdetector 136. Light source 132 may receive electrical signals from path134 and may transmit corresponding light signals on fiber 140. Thetransmitted light signals in fiber 140 are transmitted by lens unit 142through barrier 90 to lens unit 148. After passing through fiber 150,light detector 158 in optical device(s) 152 may detect these lightsignals. Light detector 136 may similarly receive optical signals thathave been transmitted from light source 154 in optical device(s) 152 viaoptical fiber 150, units 148 and 142, and optical fiber 140 to path 138.

The light signals conveyed between circuits 66 and 78 may be visiblelight signals, infrared light signals, or other light signals, and mayinclude signals at one or more wavelengths (e.g., a single wavelength or2-10 wavelengths for a wavelength division multiplexing configuration).

The wireless links of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be bidirectional communicationslinks involving analog signals (e.g., radio-frequency signals, analoglight signals) and/or digital data (e.g., digital data packets). Forexample, communications circuits 66 and 78 may support bidirectionaldigital communications and may communicate through barrier 90 (e.g.,transmitting and receiving digital data packets) at data rates of atleast 100 Mbps, at least 500 Mbps, at least 1 Gbps, less than 100 Gbps,or other suitable data rate.

In accordance with an embodiment, a satellite terminal configured tocommunicate wirelessly with a satellite constellation is provided thatincludes outdoor equipment including, satellite communications circuitryconfigured to receive signals from at least one satellite, and wirelesspower receiving circuitry configured to wirelessly receive power for thesatellite communications circuitry, and indoor equipment, separated fromthe outdoor equipment by an intervening barrier, including, wirelesspower transmitting circuitry that is configured to wirelessly transmitpower through the intervening barrier to the wireless power receivingcircuitry.

In accordance with another embodiment, the indoor equipment includes afirst wireless communications circuit and the outdoor equipment includesa second wireless communications circuit configured to wirelesslytransmit communications signals corresponding to the received signals tothe first wireless communications circuit.

In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second wirelesscommunications circuits are configured to communicate at a data rate ofbetween 100 Mbps and 10 Gbps.

In accordance with another embodiment, the first wireless communicationscircuit includes a first radio-frequency transmitter, a firstradio-frequency receiver, and a first antenna communicatively coupled tothe first radio-frequency transmitter and the first radio-frequencyreceiver and the second communications circuit includes a secondradio-frequency transmitter, a second radio-frequency receiver, and asecond antenna communicatively coupled to the second radio-frequencytransmitter and the second radio-frequency receiver.

In accordance with another embodiment, the first wireless communicationscircuit includes a first light source and a first light detector and thesecond wireless communications circuit includes a second light sourceand a second light detector.

In accordance with another embodiment, the satellite terminal includesat least one optical fiber through which light emitted from the firstlight source passes to reach the second light detector.

In accordance with another embodiment, the first light source isconfigured to operate at multiple wavelengths and the second lightdetector is configured to detect light emitted by the first light sourceafter passing through a glass window pane.

In accordance with another embodiment, the outdoor equipment includesfirst and second outdoor units, the satellite communications circuitryis housed in the first outdoor unit and the wireless power receivingcircuitry and the second wireless communications circuit are housed inthe second outdoor unit.

In accordance with another embodiment, the indoor equipment includesfirst and second indoor units.

In accordance with another embodiment, the first indoor unit includesthe wireless power transmitting circuitry.

In accordance with another embodiment, the first indoor unit includesthe first wireless communication circuit.

In accordance with another embodiment, the satellite terminal includes afirst cable coupling the first and second indoor units and a secondcable coupling the first and second outdoor units.

In accordance with another embodiment, the second indoor unit includeswireless communications circuitry configured to form a wireless localarea network access point.

In accordance with another embodiment, the second indoor unit includes apower converter configured to provide power to the wireless powertransmitter over the first cable.

In accordance with an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includessatellite communications circuitry, first and second wirelesscommunications circuits, the first wireless communications circuit isconfigured to wirelessly transmit information received from thesatellite communications circuitry to the second wireless communicationscircuit, wireless power transmitting circuitry configured to transmitwireless power signals, and wireless power receiving circuitryconfigured to receive the wireless power signals and providecorresponding power to the satellite communications circuitry.

In accordance with another embodiment, the wireless power transmittingcircuitry includes a first coil and a wireless power transmitterconfigured to transmit the wireless power signals with the first coiland the wireless power receiving circuitry includes a second coil andwireless power receiver configured to receive the wireless power signalswith the second coil.

In accordance with another embodiment, the apparatus includes a firstcable, a power converter configured to provide power to the wirelesspower transmitting circuitry over the first cable, first and secondcommunications circuits that communicate digitally over the first cable,a second cable, the wireless power receiving circuitry is configured toprovide power to the satellite communications circuitry over the secondcable, and third and fourth communications circuits that communicatedigitally over the second cable.

In accordance with an embodiment, satellite terminal equipment isprovided that includes outdoor equipment including first and secondoutdoor units coupled by a cable, satellite communications circuitry inthe first outdoor unit that is configured to transmit information to afirst wireless communications circuit in the second outdoor unit overthe cable, and indoor equipment having a second wireless communicationscircuit that is configured to wirelessly receive signals from the firstwireless communications circuit.

In accordance with another embodiment, the indoor equipment includesthird wireless communications circuitry configured to form a wirelesslocal area network access point and the third wireless communicationscircuitry is configured to receive information from the second wirelesscommunications circuit over an additional cable.

In accordance with another embodiment, the satellite terminal equipmentincludes wireless power transmitting circuitry in the indoor equipment,and wireless power receiving circuitry in the outdoor equipment that isconfigured to receive wireless power from the indoor equipment.

The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can bemade to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may beimplemented individually or in any combination.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus configured to communicate with asatellite constellation, the apparatus comprising: communicationscircuitry, wherein the communications circuitry is configured to:wirelessly transmit, to indoor equipment and through a barrier, firstsignals received from the satellite constellation, and wirelesslyreceive, from the indoor equipment and through the barrier, secondsignals for transmission to the satellite constellation.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a phased antenna arrayconfigured to transmit the second signals to the satellite constellationand configured to receive the first signals from the satelliteconstellation.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a firsthousing, wherein the communications circuitry is in the first housing; asecond housing, wherein the phased antenna array is in the secondhousing; and a communications path that couples the first housing to thesecond housing.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond signals comprise optical signals.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first signals comprise first radio-frequency signals,wherein the second signals comprise second radio-frequency signals,wherein the communications circuitry comprises an antenna, and whereinthe antenna is configured to transmit the first radio-frequency signalsand is configured to receive the second radio-frequency signals.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a housing, wherein thecommunications circuitry is in the housing; and a mounting structureconfigured to mount the housing to the barrier, wherein the mountingstructure comprises a mounting structure selected from the groupconsisting of: adhesive, a clip, a screw, a mounting bracket, a magnet,and a suction cup.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus isa portable electronic device.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: an alignment sensor, wherein the alignment sensor isconfigured to detect an alignment quality between the communicationscircuitry and additional communications circuitry in the indoorequipment, and wherein the alignment sensor is configured to produce afeedback signal indicative of the detected alignment quality.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: wireless power receivingcircuitry, wherein the wireless power receiving circuitry is configuredto receive, from the indoor equipment and through the barrier, wirelesspower, and wherein the communications circuitry is at least partiallypowered by the wireless power.
 10. Apparatus configured to communicatewith a satellite constellation, the apparatus comprising: communicationscircuitry, wherein the communications circuitry is configured to:wirelessly transmit, to outdoor equipment and through a barrier, firstsignals for transmission to the satellite constellation, and wirelesslyreceive, from the outdoor equipment and through the barrier, secondsignals received from the satellite constellation.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, further comprising: a wireless access point configured totransmit wireless local area network signals corresponding to the secondsignals received from the satellite constellation; and a communicationspath that couples the wireless access point to the communicationscircuitry.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a firsthousing, wherein the communications circuitry is in the first housing;and a second housing, wherein the wireless access point is in the secondhousing.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and secondsignals comprise optical signals.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe first signals comprise first radio-frequency signals, wherein thesecond signals comprise second radio-frequency signals, wherein thecommunications circuitry comprises an antenna, and wherein the antennais configured to transmit the first radio-frequency signals and isconfigured to receive the second radio-frequency signals.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a housing, wherein thecommunications circuitry is in the housing; and a mounting structureconfigured to mount the housing to the barrier, wherein the mountingstructure comprises a mounting structure selected from the groupconsisting of: adhesive, a clip, a screw, a mounting bracket, a magnet,and a suction cup.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the apparatusis a portable electronic device.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10, furthercomprising: an alignment sensor, wherein the alignment sensor isconfigured to detect an alignment quality between the communicationscircuitry and additional communications circuitry in the outdoorequipment, and wherein the alignment sensor is configured to produce afeedback signal indicative of the detected alignment quality.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 10, further comprising: wireless power transmittingcircuitry, wherein the wireless power transmitting circuitry isconfigured to transmit, to the outdoor equipment and through thebarrier, wireless power.
 19. A method of operating an apparatus tocommunicate with a satellite constellation, wherein the apparatuscomprises a housing configured to be mounted to a barrier, at least oneantenna, and communications circuitry configured to communicate withindoor equipment, and wherein the communications circuitry is in thehousing, the method comprising: with the at least one antenna, receivingfirst signals from the satellite constellation; with the communicationscircuitry, wirelessly transmitting, to the indoor equipment and throughthe barrier, the first signals; with the communications circuitry,wirelessly receiving, from the indoor equipment and through the barrier,second signals; and with the at least one antenna, wirelesslytransmitting, to the satellite constellation, the second signals,wherein the second signals comprise voice call data or video call data.20. The method of claim 19, wherein the apparatus further comprises awireless power receiving coil and wherein the method further comprises:with the wireless power receiving coil, receiving, from the indoorequipment and through the barrier, wireless power for powering at leastsome of the communications circuitry.